GB2126488A

GB2126488A - Table ball game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2126488A
Application number: GB08303572A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Renforth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-08-25
Filing date: 1983-02-09
Publication date: 1984-03-28
Also published as: GB2126488B; GB8303572D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a table with a flat cloth-covered playing surface surrounded by a resilient retaining wall and having at least two (and preferably nine) openings (4) therein for passage of a ball therethrough, an "object" ball, (preferably) two cue balls and nine "scoring" balls, and a cue, the openings communicating with ball retaining and releasing means below the table. The said means may comprise a cylindrical tube (7) beneath each opening, each tube having a hinged flap (8) and communicating via a channel (9) with a ball retrieving slot (10). The apparatus may be coin operated. The game is played by placing each of the numbered "scoring" balls in one of the table openings (where it is retained by the hinged flap) and than potting the "object" ball by means of the cue ball, the combined weight of the "object" ball and a respective "scoring" ball being sufficient to pivot the flap and the player then scoring the value of said "scoring" ball which appears at said slot. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Table ball game The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a ball game success at which is substantially dependent upon the memory of the player or players.

Conveniently the game is played on a table with balls and cues similar to those employed in billiards or snooker.

Thus, the present invention provides apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface surrounded by a retaining wall, an object ball, at least one cue ball and at least one scoring ball, and means for striking a cue ball in which the playing surface has at least two openings located therein of sufficient size to allow the passage of a ball therethrough and which communicate with ball retaining and releasing means.

Typically, the playing surface is a baize cloth covered fibre, timber or slate table top with a resilient or cushioned retaining wall.

Preferably, twelve balls are employed consisting of nine numbered scoring balls, two cue balls and one object ball. When twelve balls are used there are nine circular openings in the playing surface which may be arranged in the form of a symmetrical pattern towards one end of the table.

Advantageously, ball retaining and releasing means are located underneath the table below each of the openings therein and take the form of a suitably angled cylindrical tube with a hinged flap at the downstream end thereof.

The weight of the flap is arranged to be sufficient to prevent the passage of a single previously hidden numbered ball from the tube but not the combined weight of two or more balls, i.e. the numbered ball previously placed in the tube and object ball. Balls that pass through the tube may be channelled to a convenient edge of the table for recovery by the player.

All the balls may be of the same size and weight but preferably the numbered balls are considerably lighter in weight than the object and cue balls, e.g. by up to 50% or more.

Such a difference in weight between the numbered balls and the object ball has been found to contribute towards positive and reliable response by the hinged flap of the ball retaining and releasing mechanism.

If the game is to be "coin operated" then the numbered balls are usually retained until a new game is paid for. In this case the numbered balls may conveniently be of a slightly smaller diameter than the object ball and cue balls, so that they can be segregated (in a known manner) below the table. Segregated balls must of course be visible to the player for the purpose of scoring and made available when a new game commences.

The invention may be further described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawing.

In Fig. 1, a table 1 (e.g. measuring 6 ft by 4 ft) has a smooth, flat and level baize cloth covered slate playing surface 2, which is completely surrounded by a resilient, fabric covered foam rubber retaining wall 3. Located in the surface of the table and towards one end thereof are nine circular holes 4 arranged in a symmetrical pattern. At the opposite end of the table are three spots for locating the object ball 5 and the two cue balls 6 (one for each of two players). Beneath each hole is a short, angled cylindrical tube 7 with a hinged flap 8 at the outlet end thereof which communicates via a downhill channel 9 with a ball retrieving slot 1 0.

Preferably, the game played on the apparatus of the invention described above has the following rules:- 1) a numbered ball (1-9) is placed (and thereby hidden from view) one in each of the nine holes.

2) two cue balls, one for each of two players, e.g. black and red, are placed one on each of the two spots (6).

3) an object ball, e.g. a black spotted white ball, is placed on the centre spot (5).

4) the cue balls are used to "pot" the object ball in order to retrieve a hidden numbered ball. The numbered ball then represents that player's score. A player continues to play and score so long as he "pots" the object ball (regardless of the presence of hidden ball).

After each "pot" the object ball and the two cue balls are replaced on their respective spots (5-6) i.e. the game restarts.

5) when a player fails to "pot" the object ball, the other player continues the game from the existing position.

6) if at any time one player hits the cue ball of the other player before hitting the object ball, except when the cue balls are touching, two shots are forfeited. When the object ball is touching a cue ball it may be played directly.

7) if the object ball is missed two shots are forfeited.

8) if a cue ball is "potted" then the value of any numbered ball retrieved goes to the other player. The game then continues with the player that claimed that score.

9) any ball leaving the table goes back on its spot.

1 0) the game ends when all "nine" hidden numbered balls have been retrieved. The player having the highest score being the winner.

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface surrounded by a retaining wall, an object ball, at least one cue ball and at least one scoring ball, and means for striking a cue ball in which the playing surface has at least two openings located

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Table ball game The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a ball game success at which is substantially dependent upon the memory of the player or players. Conveniently the game is played on a table with balls and cues similar to those employed in billiards or snooker. Thus, the present invention provides apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface surrounded by a retaining wall, an object ball, at least one cue ball and at least one scoring ball, and means for striking a cue ball in which the playing surface has at least two openings located therein of sufficient size to allow the passage of a ball therethrough and which communicate with ball retaining and releasing means. Typically, the playing surface is a baize cloth covered fibre, timber or slate table top with a resilient or cushioned retaining wall. Preferably, twelve balls are employed consisting of nine numbered scoring balls, two cue balls and one object ball. When twelve balls are used there are nine circular openings in the playing surface which may be arranged in the form of a symmetrical pattern towards one end of the table. Advantageously, ball retaining and releasing means are located underneath the table below each of the openings therein and take the form of a suitably angled cylindrical tube with a hinged flap at the downstream end thereof. The weight of the flap is arranged to be sufficient to prevent the passage of a single previously hidden numbered ball from the tube but not the combined weight of two or more balls, i.e. the numbered ball previously placed in the tube and object ball. Balls that pass through the tube may be channelled to a convenient edge of the table for recovery by the player. All the balls may be of the same size and weight but preferably the numbered balls are considerably lighter in weight than the object and cue balls, e.g. by up to 50% or more. Such a difference in weight between the numbered balls and the object ball has been found to contribute towards positive and reliable response by the hinged flap of the ball retaining and releasing mechanism. If the game is to be "coin operated" then the numbered balls are usually retained until a new game is paid for. In this case the numbered balls may conveniently be of a slightly smaller diameter than the object ball and cue balls, so that they can be segregated (in a known manner) below the table. Segregated balls must of course be visible to the player for the purpose of scoring and made available when a new game commences. The invention may be further described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawing. In Fig. 1, a table 1 (e.g. measuring 6 ft by 4 ft) has a smooth, flat and level baize cloth covered slate playing surface 2, which is completely surrounded by a resilient, fabric covered foam rubber retaining wall 3. Located in the surface of the table and towards one end thereof are nine circular holes 4 arranged in a symmetrical pattern. At the opposite end of the table are three spots for locating the object ball 5 and the two cue balls 6 (one for each of two players). Beneath each hole is a short, angled cylindrical tube 7 with a hinged flap 8 at the outlet end thereof which communicates via a downhill channel 9 with a ball retrieving slot 1 0. Preferably, the game played on the apparatus of the invention described above has the following rules:- 1) a numbered ball (1-9) is placed (and thereby hidden from view) one in each of the nine holes. 2) two cue balls, one for each of two players, e.g. black and red, are placed one on each of the two spots (6). 3) an object ball, e.g. a black spotted white ball, is placed on the centre spot (5). 4) the cue balls are used to "pot" the object ball in order to retrieve a hidden numbered ball. The numbered ball then represents that player's score. A player continues to play and score so long as he "pots" the object ball (regardless of the presence of hidden ball). After each "pot" the object ball and the two cue balls are replaced on their respective spots (5-6) i.e. the game restarts. 5) when a player fails to "pot" the object ball, the other player continues the game from the existing position. 6) if at any time one player hits the cue ball of the other player before hitting the object ball, except when the cue balls are touching, two shots are forfeited. When the object ball is touching a cue ball it may be played directly. 7) if the object ball is missed two shots are forfeited. 8) if a cue ball is "potted" then the value of any numbered ball retrieved goes to the other player. The game then continues with the player that claimed that score. 9) any ball leaving the table goes back on its spot. 1 0) the game ends when all "nine" hidden numbered balls have been retrieved. The player having the highest score being the winner. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface surrounded by a retaining wall, an object ball, at least one cue ball and at least one scoring ball, and means for striking a cue ball in which the playing surface has at least two openings located therein of sufficient size to allow the passage of a ball therethrough and which communicate with ball retaining and releasing means.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the playing surface comprises a baize cloth covered fibre, timber or slate table.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the retaining wall comprises a resilient material.

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the playing surface has nine openings therein and includes two cue balls and nine scoring balls.

5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the ball retaining and releasing means are located underneath the table below each of the openings therein.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 in which the ball retaining and releasing means comprises a cylindrical tube with a hinged flap at the downstream end thereof.

7. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 in which a channel connects the ball retaining and releasing means to the edge of the table.

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 in which the scoring balls are lighter in weight than the object ball.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which is coin operated.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 in which the scoring balls have a smaller diameter than the object and cue balls.

11. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.